Promise Keepers: They're back

Peoria is preparing once again to host a gathering of thousands of Christian men from around the region.

JOE CRAWFORD

Peoria is preparing once again to host a gathering of thousands of Christian men from around the region.

For the second time in five years, the Promise Keepers conference, which targets men exclusively, will be held in the Peoria Civic Center on Aug. 8 and 9. About 9,000 attended when the group met in Peoria in 2003 to worship and discuss their roles as Christian fathers, sons and husbands. Peoria is one of eight locations nationwide hosting conferences in 2008.

Rich Gerberding, assistant director of the mostly volunteer-run event, said it is a compliment to the area that Peoria was chosen again.

The location also makes it easier for local men to come to the conference, especially as the price of fuel keeps more people from traveling, he said.

"With the gas prices it's definitely a struggle and definitely a bigger budget hit for the guys who are traveling," Gerberding said.

Rising travel costs could be partly to blame for lagging ticket sales for the event. While he didn't know exactly how many men were expected to come this year, Gerberding said it seems likely attendance will be lower than in 2003.

Gerberding said it is expected the $89 tickets to the event will be available on site, but he recommends buying them online at www.promisekeepers.org.

While there will be a worship service at Promise Keepers, Gerberding said the conference would be much more than a two-day church service. There will be a variety of speakers, including a Christian comedian, he said.

"In no way shape or form would I consider it like sitting in a seminar for 12 hours," he said. "It's very engaging and high-energy throughout."

Promise Keepers is a male-centered event, although Gerberding said it is far from unique in that respect. These type of events are frequently geared toward one group or another, he said.

"Different conferences are going to reach different groups of men or women or youth," he said.

Since 1990, Promise Keepers has drawn more than 6 million men to some 250 stadium and sports arena conferences and outdoor rallies across North America. What started as a conversation between former University of Colorado head football coach Bill McCartney and a professor quickly became a national phenomenon.

Gerberding said the gathering is not aimed at any particular Christian denomination.

Joe Crawford can be reached at 686-3251 or jcrawford@pjstar.com.

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